Storm Water Management

Storm Water Management

Good storm water management practices around the home are essential to preserving Hempstead Town's beautiful natural resources. As storm water flows over driveways, lawns and sidewalks, it picks up debris, chemicals and other pollutants. Storm water flows into our storm drain system and discharges into our creeks, streams and bays. Polluted runoff is the nation's greatest threat to clean waters. The information provided on this page is designed to help you adopt healthy household habits and help protect our wetlands and coastal waters.

You Can Help Stop Water Pollution

According to recent studies, polluted storm water is a major cause of water pollution problems in New York State. One way we can help is by increasing the amount of water that soaks into the ground. This reduces the amount of water flowing into the street. Here's what you can do:

Plant trees, shrubs or ground covers

Maintain your lawn with minimal use of chemicals

Redirect downspouts from paved areas to vegetated areas

Use a rain barrel to catch and store water for gardens

Install gravel trenches along driveways or patios

Use wooden planks, bricks or interlocking stones for walkways and patios

When building a new home, have the driveway and walkways graded so water flows onto lawn areas

Only Rain Should Go Down Our Storm Drains

Read what you can do to help keep our waterways clean.

You Can Keep Our Planet Clean...Put Pet Waste In Its Place!

When dog waste is not properly disposed of it can wash into nearby waterways through local storm drains. Being released directly into bays and streams, untreated animal feces can become a significant source of runoff pollution, contaminating Hempstead Town's natural marine environment. Swimming in waters affected by pet waste can pose health hazards. Waste carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can present risks to human health and threaten wildlife. Contaminated dirt or sand poses a risk of infection for adults who garden and young children playing outdoors. Flies may also spread diseases from animal waste. In order to minimize health risks and reduce pollution the town recommends the following precautions:

Pick up your pet waste and properly dispose of it

Do not bury pet waste in vegetable gardens

Have your pet examined by a veterinarian on an annual basis to check for the presence of intestinal parasites

New Storm Drain Medallion Program

For several years Hempstead Town has been working with volunteer groups to place medallions on local storm drains to let people know that nothing but rainwater should go into our drains. This program is being expanded to target improper pet waste disposal and we need your help! We are looking for individual or groups to help us place medallions at storm drain locations. Hempstead Town will provide volunteers with medallions, gloves and adhesive. In addition, the town will furnish training on how to install the medallions and maps of storm drain locations. To find out more or to volunteer, please call (516) 897-4115.

Operation S.P.L.A.S.H. Needs Volunteers

Find out more about Operation S.P.L.A.S.H. (Stop Polluting Littering And Save Harbors), an organization dedicated to keeping waterways clean.

Report an Environmental Complaint

From the illegal dumping of industrial waste to the improper disposal of household chemicals, our delicate ecosystem is in constant danger of being compromised. We need your help to protect our groundwater, drinking water, streams and bays from the dangers presented by the mishandling of items which may be harmful. Please do your part and report any incidents or problems that you observe. Together we can help to keep the planet “green and clean” for future generations. If you wish to report an environmental complaint please use our Helpline form or, during normal business hours, you may call our Helpline at (516) 489-6000. After hours contact the Department of Public Safety at (516) 538-1900.

Annual Stormwater Management Report

If you wish to comment on this report, please contact us using our online Helpline.

Stormwater Pollution & Green Infrastructure Solutions

The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District produced this educational film on Stormwater Pollution and Green Infrastructure, as a joint project with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope you enjoy it, and share what you have learned with your friends and family.